Wuthering Heights (Classics Group Read Nov-Dec 2013)

[Leslie]

Our second Group Read of a classic will be Wuthering Heights. As this read lasts for 2 months, please be careful to hide any spoilers for at least the first month.

[[deleted user]]

I'm really looking forward to this one. I hope everybody who isn't reading but has strong opinions joins in with us!

[Pink]

I'll definitely join in with commenting, but won't be re-reading. Who is planning to read this, either for the first time or as a re-read for the group?

[Shirley]

I'll be reading this for the first time, am intrigued by the love/hate reviews!

[Abi]

I'm really excited that this is our group read. It's been on my list of books to read since I was doing my GCSEs - some lucky groups got to study Wuthering Heights, but I was stuck with Jane Eyre - so will definitely be joining in!

[Pink]

Abi, we'll see if you still feel that you were the unlucky group once you've read it!

[Charbel]

Won't be reading it again, but would love to follow and contribute to the discussion.

[Amaryllis]

I'm reading the book for the first time and I'll definitely join in and post comments!

[Leslie]

I am undecided whether I will try rereading this. I have a copy on my shelves if I find the time...

[Alannah]

Probably won't reread this but I will join in the discussion.

[amber]

I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single person I hated the first time around plus added a few more of them to the list. :p

[Alannah]

amber wrote: "I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single person I hated the first time arou..."

I hope you don't mind telling us why you hated it Amber.

[Leslie]

Alannah wrote: "I hope you don't mind telling us why you hated it Amber..."

but in a week when it is November! I don't want the discussion to get started yet...

but amber, who did the narration for the audiobook? Maybe that's how I will reread this, by listening to it as an audiobook.

[[deleted user]]

Alannah wrote: "amber wrote: "I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single person I hated the f..."

With spoilers for us poor people who haven't read it yet but are being put off but how much everybody hates it!

[Alannah]

Heather wrote: "Alannah wrote: "amber wrote: "I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single pers..."

She can hide the spoilers if she has any. But I do think it's one of those books that can really divide an audience. When we studied it last year I think the class was split but to be honest it made the discussion a lot more interesting.

[[deleted user]]

That's what I meant. So many people have read this already I would appreciate care with spoilers for the 1st month of the readalong!

[Alannah]

Heather wrote: "That's what I meant. So many people have read this already I would appreciate care with spoilers for the 1st month of the readalong!"

Honestly, try not to let the bad reviews put you off, I do believe it's one book everyone should read. And I will hold off on the spoilers until more people have had a chance to read it, although normally I would hide them too.

[Bionic Jean]

I totally agree, Alannah.

If you look at the reviews, there are far more people who adore this book than don't. And the fact that I joined Goodreads because I was so desperate to see if I was the only person in the universe who hates it, speaks for itself. We are definitely in the minority, us Wuthering Heights haters. Maybe we're just more vociferous about it!

[Tracey]

Well as it has stirred emotions and conflicting comments even before we have got to November! I think this is another must join in for me and I too have never read it.

[Alannah]

I can't wait to see what you think Tracey.

To be honest I didn't like it that much when I first read it but as I studied it and came to understand it more, I really began to enjoy it more.

[Sigourney]

I might join in with this - depends how busy I am with my pgce - as I've wanted to read it for a long time. I'm intrigued by the massive divide in opinion.

[LauraT]

This is a "classic" which has always been extremely controversial, and I see that it is so also in here. I'm really looking forward to see when we start reading it what eill come out!

amber wrote: "I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single person I hated the first time arou..."
I liked the book a lot, but nonetheless I would have slapped amost all the characters there!!!!

[Holly]

I never got round to finishing this, so I'll definitely be part of this. I nearly finished it, just once again, things got in the way. I can't wait to discuss it.

As for the dislike of the book, from what I did read, I found it neither really good or really bad. The characters were alright, the storyline was decent enough (although I much prefer the storyline of Rebecca), but nevertheless I will read it!

[amber]

Alannah wrote: "amber wrote: "I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single person I hated the f..."

I don't mind. I just thought I should wait until the discussion got under way.

[amber]

Leslie wrote: "Alannah wrote: "I hope you don't mind telling us why you hated it Amber..."

but in a week when it is November! I don't want the discussion to get started yet...

but amber, who did the narration ..."

It was the playaway version read by Wanda McCaddon.

[amber]

Heather wrote: "Alannah wrote: "amber wrote: "I read this a long time ago and HATED it. I listened to it last year when it was being discussed in one of my other groups and I still wanted to slap every single pers..."

Obviously I would use spoilers if I was going talk about the storyline.

[amber]

LauraT wrote: "This is a "classic" which has always been extremely controversial, and I see that it is so also in here. I'm really looking forward to see when we start reading it what eill come out!

amber wrote:..."

HeeHee yes wanting to slap the people in the book doesn't really have much to do with liking it or not. I wanted to slap most of the characters in You and I liked that book.

[[deleted user]]

I'm so excited that this was voted a group read - it might encourage me to finally read it!

[Leslie]

For those of you who might be interested in this in audiobook form, the second version at Librivox (narrated by Ruth Golding) is the recommended one:

http://librivox.org/wuthering-heights...

[Alannah]

Thanks Leslie

[Alannah]

I hope you enjoy it Becca.

[Holly]

Hopefully I'll be able to fit this group read in. Just started Middlemarch, and planning on reading A Tale of Two Cities next. Wuthering Heights will hopefully fit in there!

[LauraT]

Holly wrote: "Hopefully I'll be able to fit this group read in. Just started Middlemarch, and planning on reading A Tale of Two Cities next. Wuthering Heights will hopefully fit in there!"

Mostly written at the same time! Good choice Holly

[Bionic Jean]

I can't do that! Have to keep my time scales/genres separate.

[Tracey]

AWW Bloomin Heck!! My copy may not be here until 12 November :( bursting to read this one now.

[Bionic Jean]

You could have had mine a couple of months ago when I finally gave up on EVER liking the thing and consigned it to someone else's shelves! LOL

Seriously though Tracey, I hope it comes a bit earlier for you. It's great when that happens! :)

[Holly]

My picks for November are definitely not deliberate to coincide with any time period. They're just ones I've been meaning to read forever, and I've been doing a lot of 20th century classics recently, so I thought I should read more earlier texts!

[Kara]

I read this book as a teenager, about 25 years ago! Loved it! Can't wait to see how I feel about it now!

[LauraT]

yes, rereading books after a long time is really interesting!

[Gemma]

I think I might join in with this. I'm really struggling with my reading at the moment.

[Leslie]

Gemma wrote: "I think I might join in with this. I'm really struggling with my reading at the moment."

I suspect that is quite a common phenomena with new mothers. Please do join in if you can manage it :)

[Shirley]

Just started this.

[[deleted user]]

I've just started this. I scan the book on my phone, add it to my currently reading list and the 1st review is Jean who opens with the words 'overated, hysterical nonsense'. I can't wait to read it!!!

[Bionic Jean]

Tee hee! I think it was the first book I ever reviewed here. And actually you missed out the word "VASTLY overrated..."

[[deleted user]]

Sorry for the misquote. Have read 3 chapters. So far I love the writing style, beautiful descriptions of the Moors. I think the phrase 'vexatious phlegm' might be one of my favourites. Characters are annoying so far; Lockwood seems very dimwitted and the 3 members of the household are just awful people! Joseph and Zillah are slight redeeming

[LauraT]

Heather wrote: "Sorry for the misquote. Have read 3 chapters. So far I love the writing style, beautiful descriptions of the Moors. I think the phrase 'vexatious phlegm' might be one of my favourites. Characters a..."

Characters are the worst of this book!!! The most important one - and almost the only "good" one - is in my opinion ... the environment/the landscape: reading (and listening to) it I've always wanted to see the Moors

[[deleted user]]

I'm really close to the yorkshire moors. I should make an effort to visit this year

[Bionic Jean]

Heather - not correcting you for any reason other than that I thought I might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb!

Hope you continue to enjoy the book. It is extraordinary that I'm so out of step with most (though not all!) folk given my origins. Yes, the moors are beautiful. But the Bronte Parsonage is quite commercialised and extremely busy with coach parties and tourists.

[[deleted user]]

I would like to walk the moors. I love walking and cycling so hopefully in the summer I'll manage to get my boots or my bike up to the moors!

[Bionic Jean]

Ah! The best way to see them, Heather. Like you, I've just finished reading "The Thirteenth Tale" and wonder what it's like reading "Wuthering Heights" straight after that!